miércoles, 26 de agosto de 2015

All indie game developers have one objective: create games that users like and, hopefully, make some money in the process.

Given the evolution of development platforms and the free distribution; create a game has become a game itself. With minimum capabilities of graphical development, elementary knowledge of programming and sound editing; the creation of video games is within the reach of everyone. The only limitation is your creativity, your talent and the time you can dedicate to the task. But many of us ignore or overlooked that the creation of a game is a complex project involving clearly identified processes: each with a huge importance.

Many of us, when we started, undertake the development without taking into account these stages, mixing them or jumping points, improvising or going back to previous points and re-writing or redoing work. But there is a "script" of work for each multimedia product that you can produce. This is not something new, is something that even Big Films Producers apply in their projects. A methodology based on the experience and acknowledgment and that certainly makes the difference between the success or failure of a production or, at least, in your development time. As your time is your most valuable investment.
I consider important to share my appreciation and my experience as a Lean Sig Sigma "Green Belt" and as Coordinator and Leader of Oniralia Games.

1.) What is Six Sigma?

Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma is a methodology which, generally speaking, is used to improve both industrial processes and services in big companies and corporations. It has a very specific set of work, tools and specialized techniques in order to streamline processes and save costs of time and resources without never losing sight of the consumer or customer needs.
I will not go too deeply, but if anyone is interested, there is a lot of information:

The pillar of the Six Sigma methodology is known by its acronym: The DMAIC process.
Corresponding to the words: DEFINE, MEASURE, ANALYCE, IMPROVE and CONTROL. Although it seems far from video game development, the DMAIC process has many common points with the established multimedia development.

That's my purpose: to describe you the common points. 

2.) What are the stages of a video game creation?

Many of you know it.
And some of you are applying it. Not following the correct order and not always strictly according to the phases. Pre-production - development - post-production. A bad planning in the first phase can give you problems in the second and a lot of delay the last two. The last phase is also crucial, because within it you will discover errors in the production phase. If the last phase of post-production is done wrong, the product can be delivered to the user with a lot of bugs...

(3) A Six Sigma development phases.

In the diagram you can see graphically the Six Sigma development phases of a project:

The definition phase:

Establish clearly what the problem facing us. We consider the consequences of it and approach us to the possible root cause.

The measurement phase:

Look for the metric observing the process to improve and taking all the valuable data for the next phase.

The analysis phase:

We examined the metric and look for correlations. Our goal is to find the root cause of the problem. Once found, our goal is to alter the metric, implementing the necessary improvements.

The Improvement phase:

Implement modifications and changes in the process. These modifications will be to modify the metrics obtained and achieve the necessary results: a process improved and optimized.

The Control Phase:

Using the metrics obtained and managing them, analysing the new results, establish the stability of the changes and their sustainability. But... What that means with video game development? The goal now is to mix the two concepts, the two procedures, and elaborate an enhanced scheme that will help in the development of our own products!

(4) Methodology Six Sigma + Multimedia methodology.

We are going now to mix the two concepts. Most of you (development purists) may think that this is bullshit, but I'm sure that it can help. More than that: I think that could be helpful. Because if we apply what follows, it´s possible that your work gets better results.

(A) - PHASE 1-PRE-PRODUCTION (DEFINE)

It is the moment to define clearly our game. Which users are it intended for? What range of ages? What tastes? What does our game as a novelty? If there is something similar how we can improve it or re - write it? At this stage of pre-production, we use the Six Sigma methodology because we define the characteristics of our product. Let clear many things that will save us much work further.
The definition is our work here: exactly as we would develop a LSS project.

B) - Phase 2 - pre-production (MEASURE)
Is the time to measure the parameters from the previous session. How much users consume the kind of game that you want to do?
Which social groups have more success? What ages? In which countries? What lifetime has your kind of game? Why other products stand out? What case studies there are and what information we can get from them? Fortunately, there are many websites that provide this information. But you also have the option to investigate for yourselves, with patience and time. The goal: get all the possible information.

C) - PHASE 3 - PRE-PRODUCTION (ANALYZE) In this phase, we ANALYZE the results of our research. YOUR first phase (the definition) can be altered dramatically with the results found. Maybe you change all the gameplay that you had planned. Or maybe change even the gender or the monetization model. The data obtained are the pillars on which already the basis of your future final draft shall be recorded. The analysis phase must be careful because in it we could find the keys that make the difference between a resounding flop or a success.

(D) - 4 PHASE - PRODUCTION (IMPROVE/IMPLEMENT) Phase of development. The longest time and the shorter explain! Here the team starts to work hard. Many of you already know this phase! We prepare and gather all the elements: code, music, sound FX, graphics... Without losing sight and always keeping in mind the provisions of phases A, B and C. And we created our product. But has not yet reached the end... Isn't it?

(E) - 5 PHASE - POSTPRODUCTION (IMPROVE/IMPLEMENT) It is the moment of the final testing. It is correct and enhance errors in code, graphics and sound... It is also optimized the app, provide "fair weight" and also assess the effect on some selected users.

(F) - 6 PHASE - (RELEASE) (IMPLEMENT) Our goal is reaching its final stage: the publication. Even at this stage we must take into account the parameters of phases A, B and C. Because distribution platform also will have had in mind in them.

G) - 7 PHASE - (MONITORING / CONTROL) From here users rule! Your feedback is so important that you can make your game a success or a failure. We should focus on the objective, concrete and productive views, whether good or bad. It is a good practice to correct.

Do not abandon your project once launched on the distribution platforms:
Maybe you have still a lot to improve.

This is also the phase of promotion and advertising of your game. But before that, make sure that your product is well built:

Based on the opinions of users!

Two things will happen:

Or your product does not need to change. It is accepted by the majority.
People play and share. Your product extends and ,if you push a little "extra help" to promote, your success is guaranteed. Your work in the phases A, B and C is well done!

Or your product does not come out ahead. While some users like and give favourable views, is not as well accepted by the user community as expected. Something has failed in the process! Good: is time to correct or consider new options!

You know it: The work of an indie developer never ends! 
//ONIRALIA´S TEAM

miércoles, 29 de julio de 2015

Galaxy Jet Fighter is a game created by Twilight E Studios.
An indie Studio creating video games for mobile and tablets.

The style.

Jet Fighter has a style of the 80´s. With an environment and atmosphere that reminds us the
videogames machines of that time.
Only missing the message: "Insert Coin"! :)

Graphics:

With quite good graphics, vertical composition and scrolling, easy to handle, Jet Fighter has
very clear objectives for the player: get the highest number of
coins, reach many meters away as possible and get the
highest score..
The background of the game is good and detailed as well
as the design of the ships.

Music and sound FX.

This is the part where the game could be improved in
our opinion.
The music is good, but the sound effects could be
improved.
We are confident that the development team
could do it and in new versions will be improved.

In short: is a recommendation from ONIRALIA.
It is great to filling the moments when you get bored.
Congratulations to team Twilight E Studios and good
luck with the game!

miércoles, 8 de julio de 2015

NUB´S ADVENTURE is a nice game developed by ImakeGames.
Mixing platform and graphic adventure this original game will be attractive and addictive
for most of Gamers.
With a “pixelated look” but amazingly designed, the game tells the history of an small guy that after lost his home goes to explore the world and during his challenging travel
He will find a lot of surprises...

The controls are really simple and very accurate. The movements and the action really well done and it´s truly difficult to avoid to engage...
The game hasn´t ads but you have to unlock the game paying for it (really small amount)

But the question is how the developers conducted the action: the camera, the FX and one special mention to the music (brilliant score!) all of this makes the game one of our
recommendations for your devices in 2015.

lunes, 22 de junio de 2015

Yes: another zombie-game.
You can think this is only another one… Ok...yes.
It is.

But In this case the developer has chosen a different way to offer the playability.
Ok. More zombies. We know. But give it a chance...This is another point of view.
Imagine this: you are a gladiator.
You have fight in the arena and the only way to scape is throught the “catacombes”...

jueves, 11 de junio de 2015

One of the most important part of your game creation process is the music and sound FX.
As Indie Games Developer Studio, you probably are looking for the maximum quality in your productions but with as lower cost as possible.
Most of people developing games doesn´t have a sound studio ,a digital sound workstation or expensive synthesisers .
Continue reading and you can have access to amazing tools that cover your requirements adding powerful sounds and music to your productions..

1) The basic hardware.

Obviously you will need a computer. Not an special one. Most of PCs are now prepared for editing music and audio FX. You can start your productions with basic requirements. (4x1.5Ghz Processor and 4 Gb Ram or even less). I think all the new PCs are prepared to handle the software we are to describe below.
The second important part is to get a good audio card.

We recommend to have an external one. You have a lot of different options with different prices and even the cheaper ones
are valid for your work.
Other important piece of your basic home studio is the midi keyboard controller.

You don't have to spend a lot of money... from 50€ you can get your solution.

2) The basic software.

Lets talk about DAWs.

DAWs: Digital Audio Workstation software.
DAW Software allows you to compose and edit music.
There are a lot of different commercial solutions but fortunately you have free DAW software. Most of them are prepared for work with MIDI and all will be compatible with your MIDI Keyboard Controller.
And you will have also AUDIO editing software. We recommend you Audacity. Powerful and free...

VST! The core of your productions.

The Virtual Synthesisers. An standard created by Steinberg.
Here you have an UNIVERSE plenty of different options.
And fortunately a lot for free!
With these amazing tools you will have finally the sounds for your productions:
Ambience music and FX all on one.
Check this page and you will have an idea of the power and versatility of VST´s:
http://www.vstplanet.com/Instruments/VST_Synthesizers.htm

sábado, 30 de mayo de 2015

Hajack! Is one of the new projects of the Oniralia Team and becomes the most ambitious work for this new Indie Studio till now.
Hajack! It a mix between graphic adventure and Real Time Strategy (RST) game.
Oniralia has finished the pre-production phase (it has took two months ) with four people working on it. We have designed the concept art, scripts , some pieces
of code and even the music score.
Now is time to start the production phase.
We hope to launch Hajack! in December 2015.

"Booged Down: Tales of an Unconventional Hero" is a game created and designed by a group of students from the "European Institute of Design" based in Milan (Italy).
Thirteen weeks of development and currently in production offers a different perspective to the current games.
The main character is Humphrey: a Boggart.
During his adventure, with a duration of one night, He will meet fantastic characters that will help you to complete your amazing adventure.
With a beautiful style and an amazing environment and gameplay,
this game is among the most ambitious and best projects that we have seen before.
Great atmosphere, details, lighting, textures ...
With a special mention to the soundtrack ...
An atmosphere and playability that surely will engage you and will takes you to an unforgettable experience.
You can see the Game Trailer here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNtiVBrDpIA
Please vote for this project here:
http://www.cgstudentawards.com/game-of-the-year/bogged-down-tales-of-an-unconventional-hero
Don´t miss it!
This game deserves it.
Your story is not written yet!
//Oniralia.

viernes, 22 de mayo de 2015

August 2014.
One of the members of our Team created the concept of this game after a sleepless
Night. The pieces of concept art were developed in one day and the whole playability design in one week.
After six months of hard work of the programmers and the graphics design team
Rocket Launcher infinity was launched in March 2015.

The result was an interesting game with a different concept of the ones we have ever played.
Similar to some traditional games, Rocket Launcher Infinity gives us a different way to engage the user.
And the game could be super-addictive
The system is quite simple:
Try to connect the correct coloured pieces in the correct place to complete the rockets.
After that, the rocket will be launched and you will have the opportunity to repeat the action. If the four sets of rockets are launched, a power up with extra fuel can appear in any moment, this allows you to get some extra time to complete the level.
Tip: try to handle the pieces as smooth as possible! Let the gravity make the rest.